THIS LIFE: REJOICING EACH DAY, DESPITE THE TRIALS
US columnist CAROL ROUND, in an article published on ASSIST News Service, looks at what the Bible says about keeping a godly perspective on life, despite the trials we can face…
In the US, dissent from Traditional Plan dominates United Methodists’ top court meeting
Earlier this year the United Methodist Church’s top court upheld much of the Traditional Plan strengthening the denomination’s language barring its LGBTQ members from marriage and ordination. But questions about that plan still dominated the Judicial Council meeting this past week in suburban Evanston, Illinois. “The matters before us are neither academic nor abstract. They are where […]
Chile urged not to lose environmental steam after cancelling UN talks
Santiago, ChileReuters Chile’s decision to quit as host of December’s UN climate talks, to focus on dealing with violent social protests, has undermined the Latin American nation’s efforts to craft a green, progressive image on the world stage, environmentalists said. Against a backdrop of civil unrest, which began in mid-October, the Chilean government announced on […]
In the US, new rule would allow foster care, adoption agencies to exclude on religious grounds
RNS The Trump administration is proposing a new rule that would allow adoption, foster care agencies, and other social service providers receiving taxpayer funding from the Department of Health and Human Services to refuse to serve people based on religion, sexual orientation and gender identity. The rule essentially guts a 2016 provision enacted in the […]
Gambian women testify about sex abuse under ex-president Jammeh
Dakar, SenegalThomson Reuters Foundation Speaking calmly through tears, in a hearing streamed live on YouTube, former beauty queen Fatou Jallow told how Gambia’s ex-president Yahya Jammeh locked her in a room and raped her. The 23-year-old’s testimony on Thursday concluded three weeks of public hearings dedicated to sexual and gender-based violence under Jammeh’s presidency, part […]
INDONESIA: ‘BRIDE KIDNAPPING’ TRADITION FUELS CHILD MARRIAGE DESPITE NEW BAN
BEH LIH YI, of Thomson Reuters Foundation, reports from Indonesia…